The Victoria College
Victoria College
Enhanced Skills Certificate for Nuclear Technician Training
www.victoriacollege.edu
Area need and Job Opportunities
Utility companies plan to build at least eight new
nuclear-powered electrical generating plants in Texas and experts
estimate that Texas will need fifty percent more electricity by the
year 2030. This means that the demand for highly trained
employees-from technicians to engineers-to operate these new plants
will increase significantly. As many as 5,000 new jobs for people
with the education and training to take advantage of them will come
available in the State now and into the future. Additionally, the
Enhanced Skills certificate for Nuclear Technician training at The
Victoria College (VC) can increase job-seekers' entry-level salary
expectations from $35,000 to $40,000 per year to $50,000 to $60,000
per year.
In addition, many local nuclear-powered electrical plants offer
paid internships that virtually guarantee full-time employment
after degree and certificate completion.
Curriculum and Facilities at VC
The Victoria College, in partnership with Brazosport Community
College, has recently received grant funding from the U.S.
Department of Labor to expand its process technology curriculum to
include training for a Nuclear Technician enhanced skills
certificate in order to serve the growing needs of nuclear-powered
electricity providers' expansion in South Texas.
The College has also recently been awarded more than $50,000 in
funds to provide scholarships to eligible students.
The enhanced skills certificate provides for three specialized
classes that will comprise an extra nine credit hours added to the
full process technology curriculum to earn the Nuclear Technician
certificate to complement the Associate of Applied Science degree
in process technology.
The program of study is designed to provide students the knowledge
and technical skills for a rewarding career as a process
technician. A process technician is a key member of a team of
people responsible for planning, analyzing and controlling the
production of products from the acquisition of raw materials
through the production and distribution of products to customers in
a variety of process industries. These industries may include
chemical, food and beverage, oil exploration and production,
pharmaceuticals, power generation, pulp and paper, refining and
wastewater treatment.
A process technician applies quality principles to all activities
performed with particular emphasis on safety and the continuous
improvement of production operations. The demanding yet rewarding
occupation of a process technician requires employees to work
rotating shift schedules in all types of weather along with
handling industrial safety devices and promoting safety among
co-workers.
For more information, contact:
Betsy Crane
Dean, Career & Technical Education Division
Professional Office Technology Instructor
Technology Center 214
361-582-2448
betsy.crane@victoriacollege.edu
Brian McWha
Instructor, Nuclear Power Technology Training
Partnership
William A. Wood Building 105
361-573-3291, ext. 3404
brian.mcwha@victoriacollege.edu
